THE WAGON AND THE STAR

An author combine of cultural anthropologist and psychologist promulgates some general and specific truths about the nature of community action—and initiative—in America. Proceeding from the statement that "the concept of community in America always includes the idea of people doing something together that is of concern to all of them, and doing it of their own free will," they explore a spectrum of communities to analyze the processes of change, from towns where change has come gradually, not at all, or where the utopia was preplanned; towns rebuilding, or attacking the poverty pocket through education, isolated communities brought into communication. They probe the predication of membership in a community, factor of population mobility as it affects the community, the nature of voluntary organizations, which "optimize" the individuality of Americans, emphasize their cause. Several such organizations are analyzed. Not a compendium, or comprehensive; a supplementary casebook for activists.